Minneapolis currently has the worst air quality in the world among major cities because of thick smoke from wildfires nearby. Officials are warning people to stay indoors due to hazardous air conditions caused by many fires burning in northern Minnesota and Ontario, Canada.
Key Facts
Minneapolis' air quality reached an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 460, well above the hazardous level of 300.
Detroit also had one of the worst air qualities in the world alongside Minneapolis.
Wildfires are burning in Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota.
Hot, dry, windy weather and lightning have made the fires spread quickly.
Over 183 wildfires were active in Ontario, Canada, sending smoke to the U.S. Midwest.
Rain forecasted is too light to stop the fires, which may burn until fall.
First responders are evacuating residents and visitors to keep them safe.
Firefighters from both the U.S. and Canada are working together to fight the fires.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A court in Genoa, Italy, sentenced the former CEO of the country’s main highway operator to 12 years in prison for the collapse of the Morandi bridge in 2018, which killed 43 people. The trial involved 57 defendants and focused on charges including manslaughter, negligence, and safety violations tied to the bridge's poor maintenance.
Key Facts
The Morandi bridge in Genoa collapsed on August 14, 2018, killing 43 people.
Giovanni Castellucci, former CEO of Atlantia (the company that operated the bridge), received a 12-year prison sentence.
Castellucci was convicted of vehicular homicide and negligence.
Michele Donferri Mitelli, former head of maintenance, was sentenced to 11 years; Antonino Galata, former CEO of the engineering firm SPEA, got five years and six months.
A total of 32 people were convicted, with sentences ranging from nearly 2 to 12 years; others were found not guilty or had charges expire.
The trial lasted four years and included accusations of manslaughter, neglecting transport safety, and falsifying documents.
The bridge had been deteriorating for years, with experts warning about its condition but needed repairs were not made.
Prosecutors said delayed maintenance and ignored warnings caused the collapse, while the defense blamed hidden construction defects.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The traditionalist Catholic group Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) warned against unquestioning obedience to the pope, listing what they see as errors by recent popes. This came shortly after the Vatican excommunicated four SSPX bishops for being ordained without approval, leading the group to begin appealing the decision.
Key Facts
SSPX posted a video urging Catholics to question papal authority if it contradicts traditional Church teachings.
The group claims recent popes have made serious errors on topics like same-sex blessings, religious diversity, the death penalty, and Marian titles.
The SSPX was critical of reforms from the Second Vatican Council, which introduced many changes to Catholic practice.
On July 1, SSPX ordained four bishops without the pope’s permission in Switzerland.
Pope Leo XIV excommunicated those bishops, the consecrators, and SSPX members formally following the group.
SSPX appealed the excommunications shortly after they were announced.
The group disagrees with Pope Francis approving blessings for same-sex couples but says these do not change Church teaching on marriage.
SSPX rejects Pope Francis’s view that religious diversity is willed by God, seeing it as contradictory to Catholic doctrine.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Scientists named a new dinosaur that is valued at $50 million. The article also mentions other world events, including Sir Keir Starmer’s last session as UK Prime Minister and ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
Key Facts
A new dinosaur worth $50 million received an official scientific name.
Sir Keir Starmer participated in his last Prime Minister’s Questions before leaving office.
The US and Iran continue to have conflicts involving verbal attacks and military actions.
Film critics praised the movie The Odyssey this week.
The article includes a quiz about recent news events.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Giovanni Castellucci, the former head of Italy’s motorway company, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the 2018 collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, which killed 43 people. In total, 32 people were found guilty for the disaster, while others were either acquitted or had charges expire.
Key Facts
The Morandi Bridge in Genoa collapsed in 2018, killing 43 people.
Giovanni Castellucci, former CEO of Autostrade per l’Italia, received the longest sentence of 12 years for manslaughter by negligence.
A total of 32 people were convicted, with sentences ranging from almost 2 years to 12 years.
Some defendants were found not guilty or had charges expire due to time limits.
The court case focused on poor maintenance and ignored safety warnings as causes of the collapse.
Defence argued the collapse was due to a design flaw that maintenance could not prevent.
The disaster led to the Benetton family giving up control of the motorway company.
The damaged bridge was replaced by the Genoa San Giorgio Bridge, designed by architect Renzo Piano and opened in 2020.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Reports show China and Russia are working together on advanced military technology and space weapons aimed at countering Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network. This partnership involves joint meetings and efforts to develop weapons and strategies neither country could create alone.
Key Facts
Three major European news outlets investigated and reported a joint plan by China and Russia to defeat Starlink.
The investigation found documents showing deep military cooperation between China and Russia, including in space weapons.
The China-Russia Military-Technical Cooperation Forum held secret meetings, with continued talks planned.
Starlink has been important for Ukraine’s military during the conflict with Russia, providing communication and operational advantages.
The US military values Starlink and similar satellites for navigation, communications, and battlefield uses.
China and Russia are building their own satellite networks, but they are not yet as large or advanced as Starlink’s 10,000+ satellites.
China recently recovered a reusable rocket booster, helping it potentially launch more satellites faster.
There are ongoing questions about whether commercial satellites like Starlink can be legitimate military targets in future conflicts.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The high court in England and Wales has reopened the inquest into the death of 14-year-old Jools Sweeney, who died after taking part in a TikTok “blackout challenge.” The court ruled that social media evidence, which was not examined in the original inquest, must be included in the new inquiry.
Key Facts
Jools Sweeney died in April 2022 at age 14 in Gloucestershire.
His parents believe TikTok’s “blackout challenge” was involved in his death.
The original inquest in 2022 lasted only 23 minutes and did not include social media evidence.
The high court ordered a new inquest to review social media data from Jools’ phone.
A private analysis showed signs of TikTok overuse or addiction by Jools.
Jools’ mother helped pass “Jools’ Law,” requiring tech firms to save a deceased child's online data within five days.
TikTok and its parent company are being sued by Jools’ family and other parents in the U.S.
Legal experts say current investigations do not adequately address the role of social media in youth deaths.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Large wildfires are burning in Canada and the northern United States, producing heavy smoke that is affecting air quality in cities like Toronto, New York, and Boston. Authorities are warning people to limit outdoor activities due to health risks from the smoke’s fine particles.
Key Facts
There are 858 active wildfires in Canada, with nearly 200 in Ontario.
Minnesota has 17 ongoing fires and declared an emergency to help fight them.
Some communities in northern Ontario, including First Nation areas, are under evacuation orders due to fire damage.
Hot, dry weather caused by a "heat dome" has increased wildfire risk by drying out plants and soil.
Smoke from the fires is traveling southeast and has made air quality very poor in cities like Detroit, Toronto, and Minneapolis.
The smoke contains tiny harmful particles (like PM2.5) that can reach deep into the lungs and cause inflammation.
People with lung, heart, kidney, or eye problems, as well as children, are most at risk from the smoke.
Officials recommend staying indoors, avoiding hard outdoor work, wearing certified N95 masks, and seeking medical help if symptoms appear.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
US Vice-President JD Vance visited Caernarfon Castle in Wales in 2013 with his wife and was deeply impressed by its age and history. He wrote in a new book that the visit gave him a new sense of time and perspective on life and marriage.
Key Facts
JD Vance is the US Vice-President.
He visited Caernarfon Castle, a 13th-century castle and UNESCO world heritage site.
The visit occurred in 2013 with his wife, Usha Vance.
Vance was amazed by how much older the castle is compared to historic buildings in the US.
The castle had already been standing for hundreds of years before English settlers arrived in America.
Vance said the visit helped him feel the vastness of time and the smallness of human life.
During the trip, they also visited another castle in Conwy and experienced local culture, including an English breakfast.
Vance described meeting Welsh utility workers who were conservatives familiar with his work, showing cross-cultural connections.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
H.R. McMaster, who was President Donald Trump’s national security adviser during his first term, spoke with CBS News about the rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. The discussion focused on the recent conflict and security concerns in that important waterway.
Key Facts
H.R. McMaster served as national security adviser under President Donald Trump’s first term.
He appeared on CBS News to discuss the U.S.-Iran conflict.
The focus was on the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil shipments.
Tensions have increased recently between the U.S. and Iran in this region.
The Strait of Hormuz is critical for global energy supply and shipping.
The U.S. and Iran have ongoing disputes affecting stability in the area.
McMaster shared insights as a national security expert about the situation.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Andy Burnham will tour the UK in August as he begins his time as prime minister. He plans to visit places affected by industrial changes, like the steel town of Port Talbot, to listen to local communities before setting out his government plans.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham will start a UK-wide summer tour in August during Parliament's break.
The tour aims to hear from people in areas facing industrial changes, such as Port Talbot in south Wales.
Port Talbot lost its last steel blast furnace in September 2024, causing around 2,800 job losses.
Burnham becomes prime minister on Monday and Labour leader on Friday, replacing Sir Keir Starmer.
His message includes shifting power from central government in Westminster to local regions.
Some Welsh politicians worry this could reduce the powers of the Welsh government.
Burnham may also visit Aberdeen, a city important to the UK's energy future.
Parliament may be recalled early for MPs to question Burnham, but hearings were postponed to discuss the Middle East crisis.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
At least five Palestinians were killed in air and tank attacks in Gaza despite an October ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire has been violated frequently, with ongoing strikes and restrictions on aid worsening the humanitarian situation.
Key Facts
Five Palestinians died in multiple Israeli attacks across Gaza, including air strikes and tank fire.
The October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been broken almost every day since it started.
Over 1,100 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began.
Aid deliveries to Gaza remain limited due to Israeli restrictions, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blocked rebuilding efforts in Gaza before Israel’s October 27 elections.
Netanyahu risks losing power and may increase attacks on Gaza to gain voter support.
The conflict has damaged Israel's international reputation and caused global economic problems.
Reconstruction of Gaza is expected to take at least 10 years and cost over $70 billion but is unlikely to start soon.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky removed Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov after six months in the role. This decision led to public protests and criticism in Kyiv.
Key Facts
President Zelensky fired Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
Fedorov had been defense minister for six months.
Before this role, Fedorov was Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation.
Fedorov had experience in military technology.
The firing caused public protests in Kyiv.
People reacted strongly against the decision.
Fedorov shared his thoughts about his time as minister on Telegram.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Ann Widdecombe, a former British MP, was found dead at her home after being attacked on July 8. A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of her murder and possible terrorism-related acts, with police calling it a "targeted attack" and investigating the motive.
Key Facts
Ann Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on July 9 after an attack.
She was 78 years old and had served as a Conservative MP and as a minister in the 1990s.
A 28-year-old white British man was arrested in South Yorkshire on suspicion of murder and terrorism-related crimes.
Police believe Widdecombe’s killing was a planned, targeted attack.
The suspect’s uncle described him as a quiet, gentle boy and was shocked by the arrest.
The suspect had been living with his father until his father’s recent death.
Neighbors noted the suspect rarely left his home after his father died.
The murder investigation has raised public concern about the safety of political figures.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Hamas will hold a run-off vote next week to choose its new political leader after recent assassinations of top figures. The final two candidates are Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya, and the new leader will serve until 2027.
Key Facts
Hamas is selecting a new political bureau chief after the death of key leaders due to Israeli attacks.
The leadership race has narrowed to Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya.
A run-off vote is needed because no candidate received over 50% in earlier rounds.
The winner will replace the current transitional council and lead until 2027.
Only a small, select group is voting this time because of security issues caused by the ongoing war.
The leadership position must include representation from Gaza, where al-Hayya is from.
Hamas plans a full grassroots election across Gaza, the West Bank, and the diaspora in 2025 if security allows.
Analysts say Hamas’s leadership change is now important for wider Middle East politics.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Smoke from many Canadian wildfires has caused very bad air pollution in several large U.S. cities, including Chicago, Detroit, and New York. Officials have warned people to stay indoors, wear masks, and the situation is expected to last for several days.
Key Facts
Over 130 wildfires are active in northwestern Ontario, Canada, with at least 60 out of control.
Smoke from these fires has spread to U.S. cities near the Canadian border and the Northeast.
Chicago and Detroit were among the most polluted cities globally on July 16, 2026.
New York’s air quality reached levels harmful to everyone, prompting health warnings.
Masks and cooling centers were offered to help people cope with unhealthy air and heat.
The air quality index in parts of the Midwest exceeded 700, which is considered "hazardous."
Outdoor events, including a Major League Soccer game in Chicago, were postponed due to the pollution.
Authorities expect the smoke to remain a problem for at least two more days and possibly longer.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Large wildfires in Canada are creating thick smoke that is spreading into the United States, causing very poor air quality in many cities, including New York and Chicago. Authorities are warning people to stay indoors and are providing masks and cooling centers to help those affected.
Key Facts
Canadian wildfires are sending hazardous smoke into US states near the Canadian border and the Northeast.
Chicago and Detroit were among the most polluted cities worldwide on July 16, 2026, due to the smoke.
New York City’s air quality was declared unhealthy, with some areas experiencing worse conditions.
Officials advised people, especially in New York, to minimize outdoor activities and used emergency measures like free masks and cooling centers.
Midwest cities like Chicago and Toledo recorded air quality levels in the "hazardous" category, above 700 on the air quality index.
A Major League Soccer game in Chicago was postponed because of the smoke.
Over 130 active fires are burning in northwestern Ontario, Canada, with around 60 out of control.
Canadian authorities have requested extra help to fight the fires, expecting poor air quality to last for several days.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Drones carrying explosives were shot down over Erbil, a city in Iraq. Explosions happened near the U.S. consulate, and security forces intercepted multiple drones to prevent possible attacks.
Key Facts
Several drones were detected flying over Erbil, Iraq.
Some of these drones were carrying explosives.
Security forces shot down at least one explosive-laden drone.
Kurdish authorities reported that coalition forces intercepted a total of eight drones.
The explosions occurred close to the U.S. consulate in Erbil.
Eyewitness videos show several drone interceptions and explosions.
The incident involved both local Kurdish and international coalition forces working together.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The United States increased its air strikes on Iran amid rising tensions. In response, Iran launched attacks on U.S. bases and facilities in the Middle East.
Key Facts
The U.S. carried out air strikes on Iran overnight.
These actions intensified already growing tensions between the two countries.
Iran responded by attacking U.S. military bases and facilities in the Middle East.
The situation involves military actions on both sides.
The news was reported by CBS News correspondent Charlie D'Agata.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A man named Daniel Sean James is accused of killing Kirandeep Kaur, a young mother, by stabbing her while she was asleep with her husband and baby in their home in west London. He also allegedly attacked another man before breaking into Kaur’s home, and he was arrested after injuring himself trying to escape.
Key Facts
Daniel Sean James, 46, is charged with murder, attempted murder, and possessing a blade.
The victim, Kirandeep Kaur, was 24 years old and asleep with her husband and three-month-old baby.
The incident happened on Uxbridge Road in Hayes, west London.
Before breaking into Kaur’s home, James allegedly stabbed a man in his 20s in the back on the street.
James broke into Kaur’s home around 7:50 a.m. while the family was asleep.
Kaur’s husband woke up to her scream and saw someone leaving their bedroom.
Kaur was stabbed in the chest and was declared dead at 8:26 a.m.
James broke both his ankles jumping out of a window and was caught by police.
He appeared in court by videolink and his plea hearing is scheduled for October 1.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
